Where's It Wednesday—XLVIII

The picture from last week shows the memorial to Seattle firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The design, Fallen Firefighters, by artist Hai Ying Wu depicts 4 life-sized firefighters, and is located in Occidental Park in Seattle's Pioneer Square area.

The memorial was erected originally in the aftermath of the Pang warehouse fire in the International District that killed 4 firefighters in January 1995, but has since come to memorialize all 31 firefighters from the Seattle Fire Department who have died in the line of duty since its founding in 1889.

As we approach the 10th anniversary of the horrific 9/11 attacks, it is an especially appropriate time to recognize the extraordinary service, bravery, and alas, sometimes sacrifice, that these public servants provide us all. Let's not be confused by demagogues in Wisconsin, Ohio, and elsewhere who damage our community, both physically and politically by their shameful attacks: